This Sunday, May 4 is “Ascension Sunday.”  The text that I will read is Acts 1:6-11.  No doubt Luke is the author of both the Gospel of Luke and the Book of Acts.  The Gospel of Luke is a stepping stone that leads the church in the direction of ministry to the world—ministry that is inaugurated with the birth of the Church as recorded in the Book of Acts.  The Gospel of Luke ends with the ascension of Jesus and the Book of Acts begins by recalling Jesus’ ascension.  Jesus instructs the disciples to be his witnesses in the world.  I will be talking about how we are to be witnesses for Christ.  The Greek word translated as “witness” is a very strong word that calls disciples to sacrificial action.  I believe this text sheds light on the recent General Conference decision to retain its position regarding homosexuality.  I’ll look forward to sharing my thoughts on that while being fully aware that this is a subject about which our congregation holds diverse opinion.  I hope to see you this Sunday.  Shalom, Jack 

If you faint in the day of adversity, your strength being small; if you hold back from rescuing those taken away to death, those who go staggering to the slaughter; if you say, “Look, we did not know this” – does not he who weighs the heart perceive it?  Does not he who keeps watch over your soul know it?  And will he not repay all according to their deeds?Proverbs 24:10-12 (NRSV) 

Last week, two events ironically coincided – the 5th anniversary of the genocide in Darfur and Pope Benedict’s address to the United Nations in which he honored and celebrated the 60th anniversary of the UN Declaration of Human Rights, an amazing affirmation passed in 1948 that set the standard for how we should treat each other. 

In the aftermath of the almost inconceivable madness of World War II, during which some 40-50 million people were killed (no one will ever know for sure the exact number), the global community said “no more” to the wholesale slaughter of innocents.  Then came Cambodia.  Then came Bosnia.  Then came Rwanda. 

And then 5 years ago, innocents began being slaughtered in the Darfur region of Sudan.  Article 3 of the Declaration affirms that “Everyone has the right to life, liberty, and security of person.”  For five years now, the world community has watched in horror as the government of Sudan has made of mockery of these fundamental rights.  (By the way, I highly recommend the reading of the entire Declaration, which can be found by clicking here.) 

You are probably familiar with the numbers – over 450,000 dead, up to 3 million displaced, 3.5 million more dependent upon international aid for basic survival needs.  (Check out this powerful clip for a quick overview.)  This Sunday, Arapaho will host a Save Darfur Rally and Prayer Service for the second straight year.  We will show the powerful documentary The Devil Came On Horseback, we will pray together, we will offer opportunities for activism, and raise money for Darfur relief.  I hope you will join us on Sunday.  God willing, a third annual Save Darfur rally won’t be necessary.

Haven’t most of us spent countless hours with Mr. Rogers? He has helped to raise most of our kids, and he may have even blessed you too. You may not know that he was an ordained Presbyterian minister.

Mr. Rogers told the story of being in a worship service, his wife Joanne sitting by his side. They were on vacation. He was in seminary and was taking a class in preaching at the time. As he told the story, “During the sermon I kept ticking off every mistake I thought the preacher was making. He was a man, about 80 years old. When this interminable sermon finally ended, I turned to my wife, intending to say something critical about the sermon. I stopped myself when I saw tears running down her face. She whispered to me, ‘He said exactly what I needed to hear.’” Fred Rogers said, “I was judging and she was needing, and the Holy Spirit responded to need, rather than judgment.”

It may be too often that we function out of the perspective of judgment. We try to mend our own brokenness by judging others. We think that we will feel stronger when we imagine others as weak. We raise our confidence by showing disrespect toward others. We feel intelligent when we label others as foolish.

In fact and in faith, God is there to breach the gap by loving all of us. God provides affirmation, as God helps us see the goodness in both ourselves and others.

Buddy Pond is a member of our church. He says, “You don’t have to be wrong for me to be right.” He is so right.

Carl Rogers, the psychologist whose approach to psychotherapy can function as the framework of any serious conversation identifies three essential steps in a therapeutic conversation. There must be empathy, unconditional positive regard for the other, and genuineness.

We need only spend a short time with Jesus to see why so many followed him eager to hear what he had to say. He honored every person he met treating everyone as a child of God.

Put these wise observations to the test. Consider any individual you know while pondering the wisdom of Fred Rogers, Carl Rogers, Buddy Pond or Jesus. Now that will make you feel better about yourself and them.

Shalom,
Jack

Throughout Lent, I have preached sermons that addressed John Wesley’s concept regarding the availability of God’s Grace. He said that we have exposure to many “means of Grace.” They are occasions when we can witness and experience the Grace of God in our daily lives. He identifies three in particular: Holy Communion, searching the Scriptures, and prayer. Beyond those, there are no limits. Grace is available, and we discover it to the extent that we are prepared to welcome it into our hearts and souls.

Maybe you have joined me in watching for the revelations of God’s Grace. As we have approached the celebration of Easter, I have been aware of the Divine’s exposure.

Recently, we created an opportunity for interfaith dialogue. About 40 Muslims joined with about 40 of us as Christians to talk about that which we hold in common. Dr. Yusuf Kavakci, the Imam from the Dallas Central Mosque, was with us. He’s an internationally know scholar of the Qur’an. He talked about the respect that Muslims have for Christians and how they hold deep love for God, the same God whom we worship.

Also, we heard from Dr. Robert Hunt, who is a well-known scholar of interfaith dialogue and Professor of World Religions at Perkins School of Theology. He, too, addressed the theological principles that Christians hold in common with Muslims. We hold significant beliefs in common.

Both of the scholars, along with the participants who gathered around tables for dialogue, agreed that discussing our common beliefs is an act of peacemaking that we would do well to promote. In that setting, where we were talking about faith, the Grace of God was made evident.

On Palm Sunday, we worshiped in an atmosphere of music provided by our children’s choir and our Chancel Choir. All who were there felt moved by the sacred, and all of us knew that to be a means of Grace.

Following worship on that Sunday, our children were gleeful to discover that thousands of eggs filled with delights had been spread all over the church yard for their discovery. They loved it, and for those of us who watched, God’s Grace was revealed once again.

On Maundy Thursday, we worshiped as we remembered the last supper that Jesus shared with his disciples before he faced the cross. All of the disciples were present, and they each told us about the feelings that they had on that night. Then we gathered around the Communion Table in groups of 12 to celebrate that sacred meal ourselves. God’s Grace was made evident.

On Good Friday, we were in a Service of Darkness, reading the Scriptures that tell the story of Jesus as he faced the cross and died. Many took turns reading, and many more sang beautifully as the lights dimmed and candles, one by one, were snuffed out. To remember the unrelenting dedication of Christ in his effort to deliver the Grace of God was life giving.

On Saturday morning, members of the Open Door Sunday School Class decorated the chancel for Easter while members of the Worship Committee prepared the Fellowship Hall for the Easter Breakfast. The Youth made final preparations for Easter Sunrise. Grace was evident again, and again.

Easter? Well, what could we expect if not Grace. God provides love abundantly. It is ours to behold. Thanks be to God.

Shalom,
Jack